Apparently, secession is back on the table.
Health Care Law Has Wamp Hoping Against Secession
July 23, 2010 11:58 AM |
By Dan Roem
Rep. Zach Wamp (R-03) suggested TN and other states may have to consider seceding from the union if the federal government does not change its ways regarding mandates.
"I hope that the American people will go to the ballot box in 2010 and 2012 so that states are not forced to consider separation from this government," said Wamp during an interview with Hotline OnCall.
He lauded Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX), who first floated the idea of secession in April '09, for leading the push-back against health care reform, adding that he hopes the American people "will send people to Washington that will, in 2010 and 2012, strictly adhere" to the constitution's defined role for the federal government.
"Patriots like Rick Perry have talked about these issues because the federal government is putting us in an untenable position at the state level," said Wamp, who is competing with Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam (R) and LG Ron Ramsey (R) for the GOP nod in the race to replace TN Gov. Phil Bredesen (D).
When asked if Haslam is opposed to secession, his spokesperson David Smith said, "Yeah." Ramsey, in an e-mail to Hotline OnCall, wrote, "Rep. Wamp's trademark over-the-top temperament and overheated, sometimes crazy rhetoric, along with his 16 year Washington record of supporting hundreds of billions in deficit spending, like the Wall Street bailout, and hundreds of outrageous earmarks, like the notorious bridge to nowhere, is why Tennessee Republicans prefer my sincere, but seasoned and experienced conservative approach to leading our state."
Wamp and Haslam said in separate interviews with Hotline OnCall that they both want voters to change the makeup of Washington during the upcoming election cycles. However, Haslam took issue with Wamp's stance that he will refuse to implement the new health care law even if federal law requires TN and other states to pay for a share of it.
"I don't think that literally can happen," said Haslam. "I think that's more of a case of doing what you can to challenge it."
Haslam said he would "work with other governors to express the impact that this is going to have on states and work toward electing a different congress and president in 2012 and 2014." He singled out those election years because major provisions of the law are due to go into effect by '14.
"There's no magic pot for states to pull money out of the drawer," said Haslam, a sentiment shared by Wamp.
"(I'd) work with other governors and use the leverage that other governors have under the 10th amendment to basically let the White House and the executive branch and the congress know states are tired of being run over," said Wamp.
In order to block the health care reform law, Wamp's entire strategy rests on Congress dismantling it. He offered no alternatives in the case that doesn't happen.
"I know Pres. Obama. I know Rahm Emanuel. That's one big advantage I have. I know these people. ... Their idea (is) that they'll probably borrow more money on the back of our children to get the states through this."
According to Wamp, "Governors of our states need to assert ourselves collectively."
Wamp also accused Haslam of "blatant hypocrisy" for running 2 television ads in which Haslam says he will stay positive while calling out Wamp directly. Wamp and Ramsey both launched attack ads against Haslam prior to the mayor's latest commercial, which Wamp derided as an "infomercial."
On the two Haslam ads running at the same time, Wamp said, "It's unprecedented in the history of our state."
hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com |
